Best Way To Choose Your Career Path or Job Occupation
One lesson that is not usually taught in primary and secondary school is how to choose a career. If you’ve completed your education, you may already be employed. However, you might not be.
According to a survey conducted by the Strada Institute for the Future of Work and Burning Glass Technologies, more than 40% of college graduates pick jobs that don’t require a degree once they come out of school, and more than one in five college graduates are stated to be still unemployed a decade following graduation.
So, if you’ve graduated but are still unsure about your professional path, you’re not alone.
That may be reassuring in some ways. But it’d probably be even more reassuring to know that you’re on the right track.
That may be reassuring in some ways. However, feeling like you’re on a path that you’re passionate about would probably be much more comforting—especially since passion ranks high in surveys of what millennials want out of employment. So, how do you get from being indecisive about your job to being on the path to something concrete? Begin with the following materials.
Use Proven Career Evaluations/Assessments
Everyone’s process for selecting a career is unique. You’ll get hundreds of thousands of hits if you Google “career assessment” or “career aptitude.” Do these evaluation tools actually work? Should you pay money to take assessments and aptitude tests? Career aptitude tests clearly have a large market. We looked at a few and chose a few of the best free career assessment tools .
You may also attempt John Holland’s SDS (Self Directed Search), which is a personality type-based evaluation that can help you find suitable jobs and work situations.
The exam is based on the scientific discoveries of John Holland, an award-winning psychologist who developed the “Holland Codes,” a system that categorizes people into six groups: doers, thinkers, creators, helpers, persuaders, and organizers. Each of the categories represents a distinct professional path. Although the exam isn’t free, it may help you discover your real calling. Free alternative to John Holland’s SDS is MyNextMove.
Look For Career Counselors/Coaches
A career coach’s job is to provide clients with help on planning the best career moves and develop skills. Career coaches also provide feedback and review their clients’ resumes, cover letters and more. In addition, career coaches have an extensive network and have access to a number of resources you may have never thought of.
Do you feel like you don’t have the finances to hire on a career coach? You do have access to completely free resources: your college’s career center and the Department of Labor career resources. Coaches are very skilled and experienced in assisting clients in finding the perfect job match.
Interview Others
Look for chances for informative interviews. It’s a good technique to be able to sit down with someone, ask them questions, and receive honest responses. Plus, if someone offers you their time, it shows that they wish to contribute to your success. They become your spokesman. A network of these advocates can help you learn how to pick a job.
But who should you meet with? Begin by approaching somebody you already know, such as a manager, teacher, or someone you know who works in a profession you’re interested in. You should also get in touch with people that you don’t know – muster up the courage. Be polite and willing to learn.
At the very least, this person will reassure you that your current path is not as wasteful as you think. Even though your first job is important, it is not, the most important part. Ask the baby boomers how they got to their current position and they would say it was a long, winding road with a lot of work to do.
How To Find The Best Career Help
Your career path will probably have some ups-and-downs and pave the way for what’s in store for you. It is very important that you continue to develop professionally whether it be signing up for webinars, taking additional courses or volunteering to gain additional skills.